Disclosed is a method of treating a used hydrocarbon lubricant of ISO Viscosity Grade 46 or higher comprising oxidation products that adversely affect lubricant performance. The hydrocarbon lubricant has a Group II hydrocarbon oil or Group III hydrocarbon oil, optionally one or more lubricant additives, and an amount of varnish. The hydrocarbon lubricant is free of zinc-containing additives. The method comprises adding to the used hydrocarbon lubricant from about 2 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight of a polyhydroxy polypropylene oxide homopolymer that has a hydroxyl number of from about 12 mg KOH/g to about 58 mg KOH/g as measured according to ASTM D4274.

A capped oil soluble polyalkylene glycol has the following structure: R.sup.1O-(AO).sub.nR.sup.2 where: R.sup.1 is a linear or branched alkyl or aryl with one to 18 carbon atoms; AO refers to residuals of monomers selected from 1,2-butylene oxide and 1,2-propylene oxide selected so that at least 50 weight-percent of the (AO).sub.n component is 1,2-butylene oxide residuals; n is selected to provide a kinematic viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius of less than 5 centiStokes for the non-capped polyalkylene glycol; and R.sup.2 is a linear or branched alkyl or aryl having from 1-8 carbon atoms and wherein the capped oil soluble polyalkylene glycol is characterized by having a kinematic viscosity of less than 4.5 centiStokes at 100 degrees Celsius and a viscosity index of greater than 150.

A capped oil soluble polyalkylene glycol has the following structure: R.sup.1O-(AO).sub.nR.sup.2 where: R.sup.1 is a linear or branched alkyl or aryl with one to 18 carbon atoms; AO refers to residuals of monomers selected from 1,2-butylene oxide and 1,2-propylene oxide selected so that at least 50 weight-percent of the (AO).sub.n component is 1,2-butylene oxide residuals; n is selected to provide a kinematic viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius of less than 5 centiStokes for the non-capped polyalkylene glycol; and R.sup.2 is a linear or branched alkyl or aryl having from 1-8 carbon atoms and wherein the capped oil soluble polyalkylene glycol is characterized by having a kinematic viscosity of less than 4.5 centiStokes at 100 degrees Celsius and a viscosity index of greater than 150.

In the method for producing a polyether compound of the present invention, an oxirane monomer is polymerized with a trialkylaluminum and a non-halogen-containing onium salt to produce a polyether compound.

Disclosed is the use of a lubricating composition including at least one base oil and at least one polyalkylene glycol (PAG) produced by polymerisation or copolymerisation of alkylene oxides including between 3 and 8 carbon atoms, at least one of which being a butylene oxide, for preventing or reducing pre-ignition in an engine, preferably in a vehicle engine.

Disclosed is the use of a lubricating composition including at least one base oil and at least one polyalkylene glycol (PAG) produced by polymerisation or copolymerisation of alkylene oxides including between 3 and 8 carbon atoms, at least one of which being a butylene oxide, for preventing or reducing pre-ignition in an engine, preferably in a vehicle engine.

Provided are lubricant compositions comprising a hydrocarbon base oil and a polyoxybutylene polymer prepared by polymerizing butylene oxide with a monol initiator and having a number average molecular weight ranging from 800 g/mol to 1200 g/mol. The polyoxybutylene polymer functions as a highly active friction-modifier additive.

Provided are lubricant compositions comprising a hydrocarbon base oil and a polyoxybutylene polymer prepared by polymerizing butylene oxide with a monol initiator and having a number average molecular weight ranging from 800 g/mol to 1200 g/mol. The polyoxybutylene polymer functions as a highly active friction-modifier additive.

A lubricating oil composition for hybrid vehicles includes a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity, an ethoxylated alcohol demulsifier of the following formula R.sup.1(OR.sup.2).sub.nOH. R.sup.1 is a branched or linear hydrocarbon group having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms. R.sup.2 is a saturated hydrocarbon group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms and n is an integer from 1 to 10.

The invention provides a composition comprising a mixture of pentadecanols wherein at least about 60 wt % of the mixture is linear pentadecanol and at least about 10 wt % of the mixture is branched pentadecanols wherein the branched pentadecanols have branching on the second carbon atom. The mixture of pentadecanols may be converted to one or more derivatives, and these derivatives may be used in laundry detergents, cleaning products or as an agricultural adjuvant, an emulsifying agent, a lubricant additive, a pour point depressant, or a personal care ingredient.